AhlulBayt News Agency

source : AFP
Monday

9 April 2012

7:30:00 PM
307688

Al-Khawaja hunger strike may cancel Formula One race in Bahrain

The ongoing violation of human rights by the Bahraini government and growing concerns over the fate of a prominent activist on hunger strike may force the car racing franchise Formula One to cancel its upcoming race in the country.

(Ahlul Bayt News Agency) - The ongoing violation of human rights by the Bahraini government and growing concerns over the fate of a prominent activist on hunger strike may force the car racing franchise Formula One to cancel its upcoming race in the country.According to news reports on Monday, teams of Formula One say they are reluctant to race in Bahrain as the government continues its harsh crackdown on protesters, AFP reported."I feel very uncomfortable about going to Bahrain," an unnamed member of the 12 Formula One team principals said, adding that other members hoped the race would be cancelled as well.Anti-regime protesters have been taking to the streets in the past several days demanding the Formula One race be scrapped this year. Last year the Bahrain Grand Prix was called off due to unrest.The reports come as the lawyer of activist Abdulhadi al-Khawaja has voiced fear that the activists has died.On November 23, 2011, the Bahrain Independent Commission of Inquiry (BICI) issued a report saying the Manama regime had used “excessive force, including the extraction of forced confessions against detainees,” in response to peaceful demonstrations in the country.The regime has been using poisonous tear gas against protesters which has resulted in countless deaths due to asphyxia.Bahraini activists say six people have been killed during nationwide anti-regime demonstrations since March 17, 2012.Bahrainis hold King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa responsible for the death of protesters during the popular uprising in the country that began in February 2011./129